One of those blogs that finds and talks about good music, to save you the hassle. How nice.

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

Xiu Xiu Bristol Fleece - 12th March '12

The
first support band, Crash and the Bandicoots, shuffle onto a stage filled with
fairy lights and paper lanterns. They're enjoyable and confident, using audio
clips to introduce their songs (in much the same way as Fight Like
Apes). The clapping, fairy lights and "ooh ahh"-ing looks on paper a
bit twee, but that's not the case at all and they're a fun, interesting band to see. Up next are Trumpets Of Death; unlike
their predecessors they don't stop between songs, each echoing note melding
into the next. It's an impressive show, including some incredible saxophone
playing, the only flaw being that they lack the immediacy of the
other bands. Of course, the real trouble with supporting a band like tonight's
headliners is that they are who we're all really here to see.

There's
no talking between tracks tonight (as is usual with Xiu Xiu), but the band all seem
perfectly content with the silence. Stewart speaks only twice - thanking the
support bands at the start, and then thanking us in an equally hushed tone. His
speaking voice is at odds with the raw power of his singing; he dodges between
howls on 'This Too Shall Pass Away' (the only track they play from 'Dear God I
Hate Myself'), and the beautiful, heart-breaking melody of 'Fabulous Muscles'. Silence falls almost completely for this track. The drummer, Marc Riordan, makes his way to
the front of the stage to stand silently next to Stewart, hands clasped with a
solemn expression, looking for all the world like someone in mourning. The crowd is unexpectedly small, especially for a band that's travelled so far to get
here, but those that have come seem to be dedicated fans. There's a smatter of
impolite talking over the start of a few tracks but that soon settles down as
the songs develop. The set-list is clever and well thought out, the sublime
refrain of 'Suha', "I hate my husband, I hate my children...when will I be
going home?" is right at home next to the melodic "la la la"-ing
on 'Joey's Song', one of the tracks from the new album 'Always'.

There's
definitely something religious about the dedication of Xiu Xiu's listeners, and
in the fairly small number of people here, there doesn't seem to be even close
to a "type" of fan. If you just can't understand what makes people
fall in love with this band, then seeing them live is probably the best way to
appreciate the magnetism they undoubtedly have. I've seen Xiu Xiu casually
dismissed in reviews on grounds of 'weirdness'. And yes, there can be some
surprising and unusual moments in their music, but you soon come to realise
there's nothing random about those crashing cymbals, or interjections of noise.
It's all been crafted delicately together to form a powerful undercurrent; an
unstoppable barrage of melodies that suck you in, wrenching at your gut, and
all the while Stewart's lyrics, bizarre and startling at each turn, weave and
float on top. They finish tonight's set with the magnificent 'I Love The Valley
OH!', probably the closest thing they've got to a "hit single". As
Stewart and the crowd roar out the infamous "OH!" of the title, I
realize that (and it's completely clichéd) there's no easy way to put into words
how a band like Xiu Xiu can make you feel. With those infamously unflinching
lyrics, agonizingly catchy guitar riffs and drums that thump like a heartbeat,
they were never going to be everyone's cup of tea, but that doesn't stop them
being the most brilliant, surprising, and unforgettable band of the last ten
years.